Shree Jagannath Parikrama Project Inauguration: Odisha Schools And Colleges To Remain Closed On January 17

The closure of schools and colleges in Odisha on January 17 is aimed at facilitating people’s participation in the inauguration of the new Jagannath Temple Corridor Project.

The Odisha government has announced a holiday for all educational institutions in the state tomorrow, January 17, on the occasion of the inauguration of Shree Jagannath Parikrama Project in Puri. Earlier this week, a statement  from the Odisha CMO (Chief Minister’s Office) stated that all government offices, schools and colleges of the state will be closed on Wednesday, January 17, 2024, as per a PTI report. The move from the Odisha government comes as a bid to facilitate the participation of people in the inauguration of the new Jagannath Temple Corridor Project. 

The new corridor aimed at facilitating devotees visiting the renowned Jagannath Temple in Puri consists of parking places, Shree Setu (a bridge), pilgrimage centres, a new road to facilitate the movement of pilgrims, toilets, clock rooms and other visitors’ amenities in and around the temple. 

Earlier on Monday, Odish Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik also urged people of the state to light diyas, blow conch shells, beat cymbals, recite devotional hymns and perform kirtans, to celebrate the inauguration of the ambitious corridor project. Also known as the ‘Srimandir Parikrama Prakalpa,’ the countdown for the inauguration began with the three-day yagna on Makar Sankranti on Monday. The chief minister requested the people to celebrate the day as a glittering and joyous festival. 

Holiday Declared In Several States For Ayodhya Ram Mandir Inauguration Ceremony

Apart from the Odisha schools and colleges’ holiday on January 17, in the light of Shree Jagannath Parikrama Project inauguration in Puri, another mega event which has all eyes on it is the Ram Mandir Inauguration ceremony in Ayodhya on January 17, 2024. Owing to the Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha event, the UP government earlier last week announced a holiday on January 17, for all academic institutions across the state. 

Notably, along with the Uttar Pradesh government, several other states have also declared a holiday on the day of Ram Mandir Consecration in Ayodhya. Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Goa have declared a holiday as well on January 22. Schools in Haryana will also remain closed on January 22, and liquor sales across the state will be prohibited on the day. 

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